Vadivel Ravanan. S

Vadivel Ravanan, 73, is the General Secretary of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a political party representing primarily the Vanniyar community in Tamil Nadu. A 10th pass with a declared profession in agriculture, Ravanan has been a persistent electoral contestant from the Kilvelur assembly constituency, though success has eluded him across four election cycles. His political career demonstrates loyalty to the PMK and its leadership, serving in a senior organizational role while maintaining his electoral ambitions in a constituency that has consistently rejected his candidacy. Ravanan's electoral history reflects the challenges PMK faces in Kilvelur, a constituency that has leaned toward left and Dravidian parties. He contested and lost in 2011, 2016, and 2021, with his most recent 2021 defeat coming against CPI(M)'s V.P. Nagaimaali by a margin of 16,985 votes. Despite these setbacks, he has been nominated again for the 2026 assembly elections, indicating the party's continued confidence in his organizational abilities or the lack of alternative local leadership. His role as General Secretary places him among the top tier of PMK leadership, working alongside party president Anbumani Ramadoss. The PMK itself has undergone significant turmoil, with a split in late 2025 between founder S. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss, with the Election Commission recognizing Anbumani's faction as the legitimate party. Ravanan's position during this split and his continued role as General Secretary suggests he sided with the Anbumani faction. The party is currently aligned with the BJP-led NDA and has been critical of the ruling DMK government, with Anbumani claiming the DMK fulfilled only 13% of its poll promises. Voters in Kilvelur should note that while Ravanan holds a senior party position, there is no documented evidence of specific development work, government schemes, or grassroots initiatives attributed to him in the constituency. His declared assets of Rs. 45.25 lacs are entirely movable with no immovable property, which raises questions about his stated agricultural profession. At 73, he represents the older guard of PMK leadership, and his fourth consecutive attempt suggests either deep commitment to the constituency or the party's limited bench strength in the region.